Out Door Stuff

Go Green with Simple Outdoor Lighting Solutions: Solar Lights (Part Two)

As we move towards a greener environment, the use of natural resources is a simple solution to becoming more energy efficient. One of these natural resources is the sun. Solar energy is a valuable resource and an energy alternative to electricity. More and more homeowners are looking to solar energy to power their appliances and lights in their houses. For the outdoors, the use of solar energy should also be taken into consideration. This article is part two in a three-part article series about outdoor lighting and the use of solar lights.

Outdoor solar lighting is an option when entertaining in your backyard. Why worry about dragging a lamp with an electrical cord outside, plugging it in and then bringing it back inside after you are done using it? Solar Lighting illuminates the exterior landscape, is environmentally friendly, and uses energy from the sun to power the lights for the entire evening. Last but not least, solar lights are easy to install because no wiring is necessary! It is convenient and there is no need to worry or mess around with wires and outlets. Here are a few options worth considering when it comes to outdoor solar lighting.

Aurora Glow Solar String Lights

Create a beautiful summer setting with festive hand-blown glass string lights, Aurora Glow Solar String Lights. The six hanging lights are crafted from colored and clear hand-blown glass and luminescent details adorn a clear wire. It comes with high powered LED lights and copper hanging hooks for easy decorating. These lights are powered by the sun and have a solar panel located nearly 15 feet away from the first glass globe. You can plant or mount the solar energy collector away from the lights and enjoy the glow at night. During the day, they collect the maximum amount of sunlight, and are ready to go if you plan on entertaining that evening. There are many different areas in your yard where you can place the string of lights such as an arbor, archway, around the trunk of a tree, or the railing of a deck. It is also ideal beneath an umbrella. Equipped with a photo light sensor, the lights will turn themselves on as the sun goes down, and will turn off at dawn. Due to the artisan nature of hand-blown glass, each piece will vary slightly in color and in size. This makes each one unique!

Solar Garden Lights

Adding solar garden lights provides a pathway to your garden! Environmentally sound, they charge during the day to reserve a life of about eight hours. Constructed of polished stainless steel, these lights add a touch of class, at the same time providing cost efficiency. They are a wonderful accent to any outdoor landscape. These lights can easily be staked into the ground and are good for pathways, gardens, porches, and pool sides.

Solar Stepping Stone and Rock Light

Enhance the look of your flower bed by placing a solar stepping stone amongst the vibrant and rich colors of the petals. During the day, the stepping stone acts as a decorative item amongst the flowers. But at night, adds depth to the garden as it creates shadows with the light it emits. The solar module in the center converts sunlight into electricity, which is then stored in the integrated rechargeable battery pack. In the evening, the dual LEDs automatically switch on. There is no installation or wiring required. Simply install the stepping stone into the ground where it will get plenty of sun.

The solar rock light has the same concept as the stepping stone. The rock light keeps pathways safely lit for friends and family as they enjoy the outdoors, and creates an inviting and warm glow. Aim it at pathways, walls, or plants. Fully charged, it has a 20 hour of reserve life, and can be charged in direct or shadowed, sunlight.

Solar Powered Tube Lights

These tube lights are ideal for lining outdoor buildings, windows, trees, gazebos, architectural details, stairs, deck railings, and any other outdoor object you can think of. Using sunlight for power, tube lights help reduce expensive electric bills and can be placed anywhere without the hassle of wires or the need for electrical outlets. They stay lit for about eight to twelve hours depending on lighting conditions, and turn on or off automatically due to the built in sensor. It has 120 extremely bright LED lights available in white, red, green, and blue. It is water and weather resistant with over 100,000 plus hours of life. Each set includes rechargeable batteries, solar cell/electronics box, tube and wall mounting brackets, drywall anchors, screws, and instruction manual.

Be energy efficient! Garden Winds has many different outdoor lighting and decorating items that only require the energy from the sun to power them. Get inspired and make your outdoor landscape the first yard in your neighborhood to GO GREEN!

About the Author

Charmaine Ferrer is an associate writer for Garden Winds and The Lucky Clover Trading Co. For questions or comments, she can be reached toll free 877.479.4637.

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